Display device



May 30, 1933. J. H. ALLEN 1,912,117

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed macn 1s, 1931 EWS "L3 2? wllun lnm um, ma

Patented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES saveur orales' JOSEPH 1r. ALLEN, or cnicas@ rumors, Assreivoa'ro INLAND Grass Wonka-Inc.;

or* carence, iLLINos, e. celeron-Arien or' 1nn11vo1s DIsPLAY nnvicn Appueaaon ined Mal-chie, warseriaino. 522,230Av My invention relates in general toadvertisinO and display devices and has more particular reference to a novel lighting fixture especially adapted for use as on gasoline pumps and elsewhere to advertise the brand and cost of the product olf-ered for sale and for other advertising purposes.

One of the important objects of my invention'is to produce a display device having a l0 readily removable or interchangeable legend or sign which may be formed in a cheap and inexpensive manner and which may be illuminated continuously or periodically to render samehighly visible and eye-arresting.

i3 Another important object is to provide a novel means for and method of detacliably mounting a display card or sign in a lamp shade in position to be viewed from outside the lamp shade and to be illuminated by rays JU passing from the lamp through the sign to the spectator to render same highly visible at night.

Another importantobject of the invention is to provide an illuminating display device in the form of a .lamp sha-de or globe and arrying a sign such as the trade or advertising mark of the goods ,beingvadvertisech said sign being mounted relatively permanently in the globe in position to be illumi- IU nat-ed by the light- Within the shade, theI globe having means to carry another sign containing information which 'must-be changed from time to time, such for instance, as the price of the goods advertised, said sign being ear- ---`1 ried in a readily demountable manner to facilitate the removal and replacement of the sign.

advertising globe particularly adapted for 10 use on dispensing devices.l such as gasoline pumps or elsewhere in service stations, which globes are fitted to detachably receive illuminated placards containing the trade-mark advertising the product dispensed in the service station, the globe being fitted with readily detachable placards to indicate the current price of the product advertised by the relatively permanent trade mark, the invention providing means whereby both placards are mounted Within the globe and thus concealed Another important object is to provide an'- from the Weather, whereby theplacards may be formedin an extremely cheap manner of flimsy material.. 7 'i l Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent as the invention ,is more fully understood from th-e follovvingfde'scription, which., taken in connection With vthe accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment ofithe invention. i v Referring to the drawing y Figurel is a perspective view illustrating a so-called canteen type lamp, shade or globe embodying my invention; Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section taken substantially along the line Q-Q'in I igurel; G5

` F igure is a horizontal section taken sub.- stantially along the line 3&3 in Figure-1;

Figures 4 and 5. are perspective views of placards adapted for insertion inthe globe in accordance With the provisions of my T0 present invention. y To illustrate my invention7 I have shown onthe drawing, a canteen type lamp shade or globe 11.-. This type of globe is `commonly used on gasoline pumps as anadvertising and display device and has flattened faces 13 on the opposed sides of the globe in` Which a design or advertisement is usually mounted for display purposes. In globes of thi'sgene'ral type heretofore provided, the advertisement is usually permanently formed or assembled in the surface 13 during the manufacture of the globe and is thus permanently fastened in place.

The globe of my present invention, consists preferably in anupperglobular portion con-l taining theiattened faces 13, an intermediate zone 19, the construction and purpose of Which. Will bel hereinafter more vfully described and means forming a neck 21;, said 9 neck defining an opening and providing means whereby the globe may be supported upon a pedestal 23 which may be the top of a gasoline pump or otheridevice.

It shouldfbe understood that when I use "l the termv globe or globular, I do notv necessarily means alampl of. spherical or ovoidal shape but any shell-like lamp shade suitable for thepurposes herein ymentioned is included by the terms.

The opening providing means through which an electric lamp or other source of light 18 may extend into the interior of the globe for the purpose of illuminating the same. The globe is preferably formed by molding it in glass or other suitable material, as is well known in the art. The lamp shade may be frosted or otherwise rendered light diffusing to minimize the glare produced by the light 19. To support pla-cards or other advertising matter 17, the globe of my invention is formed with lugs 15 in the material forming the flattened faces 13, these lugs or flanges 15 being arranged to receive the edges of a placard 17, which may be formed of any suitable transparent, flexible material and which may be assembled in the globe after the same is completed by insertion through the neck 21. The cards 17, being of, flexible material, may be easily curled to permit insertion thereof through the neck, and the flexibility of the cards also permits their edges to be inserted behind the lugs 15. A card also may be formed with suitable indicia 25 providing any desired sign or advertising matter. llVhen in position, the forward faces of the cards are pressed against the inner surface of the flattened faces 13 in position to be viewed by an observer stationed outside of the globe. The translucent surfaces of the globe are also preferably made suiciently transparent in front of the card 17 to permit the card to be easily seen through the material of the lamp shade.

The base of the globe just above the neck 21 is formed to provide a zone 19. The material forming the globe is pressed outwardly to form pockets27 in which cards 29 and 29 may be arranged. In theembodiment illustrated in Figure 3, I have shown two kinds of pockets, those at each end of the globe being formed with flanges 31 behind which the opposed ends of indicia bearing card strips 29 may be engaged to hold the card in the pocket with its outer surface pressed against the outer wall portion 35 of the globe, it being understood that the cards 29 may be assembled in their respective pockets by inserting them through the opening in the base of the globe defined by the neck 21. The translucent portions 35 are preferably made sufficiently transparent to form windows through which the c ds 29 are visible. The cardsmay be forme with any suitable advertisement in their forward faces.

'l In many instances, however,'it is desirable to provide for the removal and replacement of sign cards after the lamp shade is mounted in position. This is desirable, for instance, Where the sign cardl is used to show the price of gasoline or other commodity which the display device advertises and to this end certain of the sign pockets in the zone 19 are formed` with upper and lower flanges or fingers 37 which are formed in the body of the globe during its course of manufacture. These anges define a groove into which a card 29 may be inserted edgewise behind the globe portion 39, Which forms a Window through which the card is visible from the outside of the globe. The globe also is formed with a slot 41, preferably at the right end of the slide pocket formed by the opposed flanges 37, so that the card 29 may be readily inserted intol the pocket and as readily removed therefrom.

Where the advertising device is used in connection with gasoline pumps, or oil pumps, or otherwise in service stations, the flanges or lingers 15 may be utilized to contain a placard displaying the price of the gasoline or oil on which the device is mounted; the cards 29 may be used to display the daily price of the gasoline and may be readily changed to accommodate fluctuations in prices. The cards 29 may also be used to disclose variable subject matter of display,

such as the daily price of gasoline although it is preferred to employ a more readily demountable card for this purpose; I prefer to use the cards 29 for displaying information of a. more permanent character than the fluctuating price of gasoline.

The sign cards 17, 29 and 29 may be made of any suitable material such as stiff paper, light-weight cardboard, Celluloid, or other iiexible material, capable of carrying indicia on the face thereof, and I prefer to use the most inexpensive material suitable for the purpose and to form the indicia b-y any cheap printing method. Other forms of reproduction may of course be used and any material of any grade may be employed; however, the construction whereby the cards are used withing the globe and substantially protected from the weather permits the use of cheap signs with satisfactory results.

It will be obvious that my invention will have valuable application in the production of display devices, since the lamp shade may be made as a standard article and assembled with any desired subject matter of display, the display matter being arrangeable in the lamp shade at the place where the same is erected. The display matter also consists of "-f placards which can be produced at a nominal sum, and, if the globe is broken, the placard may merely be transferred to a duplicate globe without necessitating the reproduction of an expensive glove having the subject mat'-v ter of display formed therein at the factory.

Another valuable feature'resides in the provision of a display device, for outdoor advertising, in which the subject matter of the display, is formed in an inexpensive manner on printed cards or the like and which are safe# ly housed and protected from the weather ony the inside of the lamp shade, thus permitting the signs to be made of non-weather resisting materials. `I do not, however, claim herein the formlierein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a glass globe having a transparent portion through which a sign may be view ed from outside of the globe, integral retaining means formed in the globe to hold the sign in place behind the transparent por` tion, said globe being formed with a slot jacent said transparent portion to .permit the sign to be inserted in place behind the transparent portion through said slot.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a glass globe having a transparent portion, means forming a pocket behind said portion and said globe being formed with an openingalong an edge of said pocket whereby a sign may be inserted into said pocket through said opening.

3. A device o-f the class described, comprising an integral glass lamp shade having a transparent portion through which a sign may be viewed from outside of the shade and retaining means formed in the shade to hold the sign in place behind the transparent portion, said shade having another transparent portion, means forming a pocket behind said other portion and said shade being formed with an opening opposite an end of said pocket whereby a` sign may be inserted into said pocket through said opening.

4. A device of the class described, coniprising a globe having opposed substantially flat faces formed in its upperportion, a neck delining an opening in its lower portions and an intermediate Zone, said globe having transparent portions in said flattened surfaces through which a sign may be viewed from outside of the globe and retaining means formed in the globe to hold the signs in place behind said transparent portion, said globe having another transparent por- Y' tion extending in said intermediate zone,

means forming a pocket behind said other portion and said globe being formed with an opening for said pocket whereby a sign may be inserted into said pocket through said opening.

5, device of the class described, coinprising a globe having outwardly extending transparent portions through which a sign may be viewed from outside of the globe and integral inwardly extending lugs arranged at the edge of said transparent portion` for the purpose of engaging the edges of a sign card, to thereby secure the card against the inner surface of the transparent portion, said'globe having another transparent portion forming another transparent portion, ineans'forn'ling a pocket behindsaid window for the reception of a sign card, said globe being formed with an opening at an edge of said other transparent portion to permit a signl card to be inserted through said opening directly into said pocket behind said other transparent portion. y

6. A device of the class described, comprising a glass globe having a relatively small opening throughV which an illuminating element may extend into the globe, means formed in the walls of said globe in position to engage and hold a sign card against the inner surface of the globe, said globe being formed with a Zone intermediate the opening and said card supporting means, said zone being formed with a transparent portion and associated means forming a pocket behind saidtransparent portion capable of receiving and supporting a second sign card behind said transparent por' tion. t

7. A device of the class described, comprising a glass lamp shade having a relatively small opening through which an illuininating element may extend into the lamp shade, means formed in the walls of said shade and adapted to engage a sign card and hold same aga-inst the inner surface of the globe, said shade being formed with a zone intermediate the opening and said card supporting means, said zone being formed with a transparent portion and associated means forming a pocket behind said trans'- parent portion capable of receiving and sup porting a seconc. sign card behind said transparent portion` said globe being formed with anopening along'an edge of said transparent portion through which the sign card Vmay be inserted into the pocket. Y

8. A globe having an upper body portion formed with opposed outwardly dished faces, an intermediate zone and a lower neck defining a relatively small opening through which a lamp may extend into the interior of the globe for the purpose of illuminating the same, said globe being formed with inwardly extending card retaining fingers in said outwardly dished portions whereby to engage and receive the edge of a sign card to support the same against the inner surface of said outwardly dished surface, said globe being formed with a transparent portion within said intermediate zone and means forming a pocket in said portion, said globe having a slot at one end of said transparent portion to permit a sign card to be inserted in said pocket and behind said transparent portion.

9. A canteen-type globe having means formed in the upper portions thereof for detachably receiving and supporting a sign card in contact with the inner surface of the globe, said globe being formed with a transparent portion in its lower portions and having a slot at an edge Iof said transparent portion through which a sign card can be inserted into the globe behind said transparent portion.

10. A device of the class described, comprising an integral glass lamp shade having a transparent portion through which a sign may be viewed from outside of the shade and associated means forming a pocket behind said transparent portion capable of receiving and supporting a sign card behind said transparent portion, said shade being formed with an opening along an edge of said transparent portion through which the sign card may be inserted into the pocket.

11. A device of the class described, comprising a globe having an'upper portion, a neck defining an opening in its lower portions and an intermediate zone, said globe having an upper transparent portion through which a sign may be viewed from outside of the globe and means to hold the sign in place behind said upper transparent portion, said globe having an intermediate transparent portion extending in said intermediate Zone, means forming a pocket behind said intermediate portion and said globe being` formed with an opening for said pocket whereby a sign may be inserted into said pocket through said opening.

12. A device of the class described, comprising a glass globe having a relatively small opening through which an illuminating element may extend into the globe, means to hold a sign card Aagainst the globe walls, said globe being formed with a zone intermediate the opening and said card carrying walls, said Zone being formed with a transparent portion and associated means forming a pocket behind said transparent portion capable of receiving and supporting a second sign card behind said transparent portion.

13. A lamp shade having a sign card supported in contact with the inne-r surface of the globe, said globe being formed with a transparent portion at a point remote from said sign card and having a slot at an edge of said transparent portion through which another sign card can be inserted into the globe behind said transparent portion.

14. A glass lamp shade having an upper body portion formed with an integral transparent portion and a lower portion formed with an integral transparent portion and means in the upper portion and associated with the transparent portion thereof for detachably receiving a'sign card and supporting same against the transparent portion in a semi-permanent manner, means forming a pocket behind the lowormost transparent portion, and said lamp shade being formed with an opening along an edge ofthe lower transparent portion adjacent said pocket .whereby a sign card may be inserted in said pocket through said opening in an easily removable manner.

15. A glass lamp shade having an upper body portion formed with an upper integral transparent portion and a lower integral trasparent portion and means in the upper portion and associated with the transparent portion thereof for detachably receiving a sign card and supporting same against the window in a semi-permanent manner, and means forming a pocket arranged integrally in said lamp shade and associated with said lower transparent portion to receive and support a card behind said lower transparent portion in an easily removable manner.

1G. A device of the class described, comprising aglass globe having a transparent portion through which a sign may be viewed from outside of the globe, integral retaining means formed in the globe to hold the sign in place behind the transparent portion, said globe being formed with a slot opposite said retaining means to permit the sign to be inserted in place through said opening, and means forming a second integral transparent portion in a remoto part of the globe.

17. A canteen type globe having a relatively small opening through which an illuminatin g element may extend into the globe and having integral means formed in the upper portion thereof for detachably receiving and supporting a sign card in contact with the inner surface of the globe, said globe being formed with a transparent portion adjacent the opening and being formed to provide `a pocket behind said transparent portion to re'- ceive and support a second sign card behind the transparent portion.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOSEPH H. ALLEN. 

